- Communal punch is pleasing. Festive and unfussy with less mess (no bottles or cans to clean up), the bowls also make lovely centerpieces. Have two styles, cocktail and mocktail.

-- ARA

Tip of the Week: Creating a garden oasis

Create focus and a sense of function in your garden with a weather-proof bench or a single love seat. Nestle it on level ground in your garden among lots of leafy plants and trees and colorful flowers. Place it on a stone path or just off to the side. Now you have a quiet oasis where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of your garden.

-- HGTV.com

Home-Selling Tip: Exterior painting is optional

Whether or not to paint the exterior of a house before selling it depends on the answer to one question: Does it look faded or tired from across the street? If so, a paint job can add striking appeal and may add dollars to your sale. Choose a color that goes with the neighborhood and the style of the house. Don’t pick any colors that are unusual for the exterior of a home.

-- RealEstateABC.com

Going Green: LEGO revises packaging rules, supplier

After much pressure from the environmental group Greenpeace, LEGO has agreed to cut relations with the supplier of their packaging material, Asia Pulp and Paper. Greenpeace dubbed APP as the “worst forest offender in Indonesia,” saying it contributes to deforestation in the Indonesian rainforest. According to Greenpeace, LEGO has revised its packaging rules to include recycled materials.

-- Earth911.org

Did You Know …

An NAR survey says 72 percent of renters say owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010. -- Realtor.org

New Product: Kindle Textbook Rental program

Amazon.com recently launched the Kindle Textbook Rental program, which sells digital college textbooks at 80 percent off the list price, according to an Amazon new release. Students can choose how long to rent the textbook, from a month up to a full year, with price increases depending on the length of time. Or they can buy the book outright. Barnes & Noble offers a similar service for their Nook.

-- ConsumerReports.org

Garden Guide: What is organic matter?

When once-living material thoroughly decomposes under healthy conditions, it is called compost, or organic matter. Some examples of compost are decomposed grass clippings and cow manure. Naturally, decomposed material like sphagnum peat moss is also organic matter. Organic matter helps the soil act like a sponge to retain moisture in a way that is usable for plant growth. It also improves drainage, allowing the soil spaces to hold some oxygen for healthy root growth.

-- University of Illinois Extension

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